Traffic warning system

Abstract

To provide a traffic alarm system capable of avoiding a meeting traffic accident of a bicycle in an intersection, and a traffic monitoring apparatus.SOLUTION: A traffic alarm system comprises a detection section, an alarm device, a control unit, and a transmitter. The detection section detects a light vehicle traveling on a first road and a mobile moving on a second road across the first road toward an intersection with the first road. The alarm device is installed in the light vehicle. The control unit determines the presence / absence of possibility for the light vehicle to collide with the mobile in the intersection based on output of the detection section and, when it is determined that it is possible for the light vehicle to collide with the mobile, generates a drive signal for actuating the alarm device. The transmitter transmits the drive signal to the alarm device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a traffic warning system and a traffic monitoring device for protecting a cyclist or the like from a head-on collision accident at an intersection.

Background Art

[0002] Various systems have been proposed to avoid rear-end collision accidents or head-on collision accidents between vehicles at intersections. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an intersection vehicle collision accident prevention system that prevents a collision accident between vehicles by notifying a passenger of a vehicle entering an intersection of the presence of a dangerous vehicle entering the intersection.

[0003] In addition, a driver warning system for bicycles has been proposed against the background of an increase in road traffic accidents involving bicycles in recent years. For example, Patent Document 2 discloses a technology for warning a bicycle driver by vibrating a vibration motor attached to one end of a bicycle handle when a front proximity sensor attached to the front of the bicycle or a rear proximity sensor attached to the rear of the bicycle detects an object.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004] [[ID=2E]]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In recent years, with the spread of shared bicycle services, traffic accidents between bicycles and cars, as well as collisions between bicycles and other cyclists or pedestrians, have been increasing. In particular, head-on collisions at intersections with poor visibility are high, and it is expected that reducing these head-on collisions will reduce the overall number of bicycle accidents. Therefore, there is a need for technologies that can avoid head-on collisions between bicycles at such intersections.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, the object of the present invention is to provide a traffic warning system and a traffic monitoring device that can prevent head-on traffic accidents involving bicycles at intersections. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A traffic warning system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a detection unit, a warning device, a control unit, and a transmitter. The detection unit detects a light vehicle traveling on the first road and a moving object moving toward the intersection with the first road on the second road that intersects with the first road. The aforementioned alarm device is installed in the light vehicle. The control unit determines, based on the output of the detection unit, whether there is a possibility that the light vehicle will collide with the moving object at the intersection, and generates a drive signal to activate the warning device when it determines that there is a possibility that the light vehicle will collide with the moving object. The transmitter transmits the drive signal to the alarm device.

[0008] The control unit may be configured to determine the possibility of the light vehicle colliding with the moving object based on the position and speed of the light vehicle and the moving object.

[0009] The control unit may generate a first control command as the drive signal if a moving object that may collide with the light vehicle approaches from the right side of the light vehicle, and a second control command if it approaches from the left side of the light vehicle. The alarm device comprises a receiver that receives the drive signal and a vibration device that vibrates based on the drive signal, and the vibration mode of the vibration device may be varied according to the first control command and the second control command.

[0010] The vibration device may include a first vibration device located on the right grip of the handle and vibrating when it receives the first control command, and a second vibration device located on the left grip of the handle and vibrating when it receives the second control command.

[0011] After generating the drive signal, if the control unit determines that there is no possibility of the light vehicle colliding with the moving object, it may generate a release signal to cancel the operation of the alarm device, and the transmitter may transmit the release signal to the alarm device.

[0012] A traffic monitoring device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a detection unit, a control unit, and a transmitter. The detection unit captures images of a light vehicle traveling on the first road and a moving object traveling on the second road that intersects with the first road, heading towards the intersection with the first road. Based on the output of the detection unit, the control unit determines whether there is a possibility of the light vehicle colliding with the moving object at the intersection, and generates a drive signal to activate a warning device installed on the light vehicle when it determines that there is a possibility of the light vehicle colliding with the moving object. The transmitter transmits the drive signal to the alarm device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to avoid head-on collisions between bicycles at intersections. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a schematic plan view showing a road on which a traffic monitoring device according to one embodiment of the present invention is installed. [Figure 2]It is a perspective view schematically showing the main part of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of the traffic monitoring device. [Figure 4] It is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure executed in the traffic monitoring device.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing a road where a traffic monitoring device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the main part thereof.

[0017] The traffic monitoring device 100 of the present embodiment is attached to a column P installed at an intersection R0 of a first road R1 and a second road R2 or in the vicinity thereof. The traffic monitoring device 100 monitors a light vehicle B traveling on the first road R1 toward the intersection R0 and moving bodies V1 and V2 traveling on the second road R toward the intersection R0, and when there is a possibility of collision between the light vehicle B and the moving bodies V1 and V2 at the intersection R0, it is configured to transmit a control signal for prompting the passengers of the light vehicle B to pay attention.

[0018] The traffic monitoring device 100 is installed at an intersection without a traffic signal, for example, at an intersection of a relatively narrow alley or a road with relatively little traffic volume. In particular, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the traffic monitoring device 100 is installed at a location where the surroundings of the intersection R0 are shielded by a high wall or a fence W or the like, and the presence of the moving body V1 on the second road R2 cannot be visually recognized from the light vehicle B traveling on the first road R1.

[0019] The light vehicle B is typically a bicycle, but is not limited thereto, and includes, for example, an electric wheelchair or an electric scooter. The light vehicle B may be a bicycle with an electric assist function. The light vehicle B is equipped with an alarm device 40. The alarm device 40 has a receiving unit 41 that receives various control signals (drive signals, release signals) transmitted from the traffic monitoring device 100, and an actuator that is driven and controlled based on the various control signals. The traffic monitoring device 100 and the alarm device 40 constitute a traffic warning system 1.

[0020] The alarm device 40 is for alerting the passengers (especially the driver) of the light vehicle B by operating the actuator. In the present embodiment, the actuator is arranged at both ends (left and right grip portions) of the handle BH, and here, it includes a first tactile device 41a arranged at the right grip portion and a second tactile device 41b arranged at the left grip portion. These tactile devices 41a, 41b can employ a vibration motor with an eccentric weight, a piezoelectric actuator, or the like.

[0021] As will be described later, the alarm device 40 drives the first tactile device 41a or the second tactile device 41b based on the control signal transmitted from the traffic monitoring device 100. The alarm device 40 notifies the approach of the moving body V1 from the right by vibrating the first tactile device 41a, and notifies the approach of the moving body V2 from the left by vibrating the second tactile device 4lb.

[0022] The moving bodies V1, V2 are moving bodies moving on the second road R2 and are located in lanes with opposite traveling directions. The moving bodies V1, V2 are typically vehicles (4-wheel vehicles, 2-wheel vehicles), but are not limited thereto, and may be light vehicles such as bicycles or pedestrians. The moving bodies V1, V2 are not necessarily limited to those in motion, and also include those that are parked or stopped.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the traffic monitoring device 100. The traffic monitoring device 100 has a detection unit 10, a control unit 20, and a transmitter 30.

[0024] The detection unit 10 includes a first detector 11, a second detector 12, and a third detector 13. The first to third detectors 11 are radar detectors that detect objects using millimeter-wave radar, for example. However, they are not limited to this, and the first to third detectors 11 to 13 may be cameras.

[0025] The first detector 11 detects a light vehicle B traveling toward intersection R0 along the first road R1 as indicated by arrow A1 (see Figure 1). The second detector 12 detects a moving object V1 moving toward intersection R0 along the second road R2 as indicated by arrow A2 (see Figure 1). The third detector 13 detects a moving object V2 moving toward intersection R0 along the second road R2 as indicated by arrow A3 (see Figure 1). The first detector 11, the second detector, and the third detector 13 each detect the light vehicle B, moving objects V1, and V2, respectively, that are within a predetermined range (e.g., 50m) from intersection R0.

[0026] The control unit 20 includes computing elements such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory elements such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory), and can be realized by these computer hardware elements and necessary software. Instead of or in addition to the CPU, a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or other ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) may be used.

[0027] The control unit 20 includes, as functional blocks, an acquisition unit 21, a signal processing unit 22, a determination unit 23, and a signal generation unit 24.

[0028] The acquisition unit 21 performs a process to acquire output signals from the detection unit 10 (first detector 11, second detector 12, third detector 13) at predetermined time intervals.

[0029] The signal processing unit 22 processes the output signal from the detection unit 10 acquired by the acquisition unit 21 to monitor the presence of the detection target (light vehicle B, moving objects V1, V2). When the presence of light vehicle B is detected, the unit executes a process to generate moving object information regarding the presence or absence of moving objects V1, V2. The moving object information includes information related to the position and speed of light vehicle B and moving objects V1, V2. Typically, the moving object information is generated only when moving objects V1, V2 are present. The signal processing unit 22 inputs the generated moving object information to the determination unit 23 at predetermined time intervals (e.g., every second).

[0030] The mobile vehicle information typically includes information about a single vehicle. For example, if there is a vehicle following mobile vehicle V1, the signal processing unit 22 generates separate mobile vehicle information for mobile vehicle V1 and for the vehicle following mobile vehicle V1, and inputs them individually to the determination unit 23.

[0031] The determination unit 23 performs a process to determine whether there is a possibility of light vehicle B colliding with moving objects V1 and V2 at intersection R0, based on the moving object information described above. In this embodiment, the determination unit 23 determines whether there is a possibility of light vehicle B colliding with the moving objects based on the positions and speeds of light vehicle B and moving objects V1 and V2. The determination unit 23 may also determine whether there is a possibility of collision between light vehicle B and the stationary moving object V1, for example, even if moving object V1 is stopped before intersection R0, based on the speed and direction of travel of light vehicle B.

[0032] After determining that there is a possibility that the light vehicle B will collide with the moving objects V1 and V2, the determination unit 23 also performs a process to determine whether the possibility of the light vehicle B colliding with the moving objects V1 and V2 has been eliminated, for example, by decelerating or stopping the light vehicle B.

[0033] Based on the determination result of the determination unit 23, the signal generation unit 24 executes a process to generate a drive signal to activate the alarm device 40 when it determines that there is a possibility that the light vehicle B will collide with the moving objects V1 and V2.

[0034] In this case, the signal generation unit 24 generates a first control command as a drive signal if a moving object that may collide with the light vehicle B is approaching from the right side of the light vehicle B (corresponding to moving object V1 in Figure 1), and generates a second control command as a drive signal if it is approaching from the left side of the light vehicle B (corresponding to moving object V2 in Figure 1). The signal generation unit 24 transmits the generated drive signal (first control command or second control command) to the light vehicle B via the transmitter 30.

[0035] The signal generation unit 24 also generates a drive signal, and if it determines that there is no possibility of the light vehicle B colliding with the moving objects V1 and V2, it executes a process to generate a release signal to deactivate the alarm device 40.

[0036] The transmitter 30 is composed of, for example, a short-range wireless communication device. The transmitter 30 wirelessly transmits the above-mentioned drive signal to the alarm device 40 installed on the light vehicle B. The transmitter 30 also wirelessly transmits the release signal to the alarm device 40 when a release signal is generated in the signal generation unit 24.

[0037] Next, the details of the control unit 20 will be described along with the operation of the traffic warning system 1 of this embodiment. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure performed in the control unit 20 of the traffic monitoring device 100.

[0038] The control unit 20 determines, based on the output of the detection unit 10 (particularly the first detector 11), whether or not it has detected a light vehicle B traveling on the first road R1 toward intersection R0 (step 101). If it has detected a light vehicle B, the control unit 20 determines, based on the output of the detection unit 10 (particularly the second detector 12 and the third detector 13), whether or not it has detected a moving object V1 or V2 moving on the second road R2 toward intersection R0 (step 102).

[0039] When the control unit 20 detects the presence of light vehicle B and moving object V1 or V2 (if "Yes" is detected in both steps 101 and 102), it determines whether there is a possibility of light vehicle B colliding with moving object V1 or V2 at intersection R0 (step 103). If there is no possibility of collision (if "No" is detected in step 103), the process returns to step 101 and the above-described process is repeated.

[0040] Meanwhile, when the control unit 20 determines that there is a possibility that the light vehicle B may collide with, for example, the moving object V1 at intersection R0 (Yes in step 103), it generates a drive signal and transmits it to the warning device 40 (step 104). In this case, since the moving object V1 approaches from the right side of the light vehicle B, a first control command is generated and transmitted as a drive signal.

[0041] Upon receiving a drive signal (first control command), the alarm device 40 drives the first tactile device 41a to vibrate the right grip of the steering wheel BH of the light vehicle B, as shown in Figure 2. This provides tactile feedback to the right hand of the driver of the light vehicle B who is gripping the steering wheel BH, thereby alerting the driver to the approaching moving object V1 from the right.

[0042] Furthermore, if it is determined that there is a possibility of collision between the moving object V2 and the light vehicle B at intersection R0, a second control command is transmitted to the warning device 40 as a drive signal. In this case, the left grip of the steering wheel BH of the light vehicle B is vibrated, providing tactile feedback to the left hand of the driver of the light vehicle B who is gripping the steering wheel BH, thereby alerting the driver to the approach of the moving object V2 from the left.

[0043] The timing at which the drive signals (first control command, second control command) are transmitted to the warning device 40 is not particularly limited as long as it is before the light vehicle B enters the intersection. For example, if the moving objects V1 and V2 are moving vehicles, it can be approximately 20m to 50m before the intersection R0, and if the moving objects V1 and V2 are pedestrians or stationary vehicles, it can be approximately 10m to 20m before the intersection R0.

[0044] The control unit 20 continues to transmit the drive signal until the possibility of a collision between the light vehicle B and the moving object V1 is eliminated. That is, after transmitting the drive signal, the control unit 20 detects again whether or not the moving object V1 is present (step 105), and if, for example, the moving object V1 passes through intersection R0 and the presence of the moving object V1 is no longer detected by the detection unit 10 (No in step 105), the control unit 20 generates a release signal and transmits it to the alarm device 40 (step 107).

[0045] On the other hand, if the presence of the moving object V1 is still detected (Yes in step 105), the possibility of a collision between the light vehicle B and the moving object V1 at intersection R0 is determined again (step 106). As a result, if it is determined that there is no possibility of a collision between the light vehicle B and the moving object V1 at intersection R0 due to, for example, the light vehicle B slowing down or stopping (Yes in step 106), the control unit 20 generates a release signal and transmits it to the alarm device 40 (step 107).

[0046] When the alarm device 40 receives a release signal, it stops driving the first tactile device 41a. This notifies the driver of the light vehicle B that the risk of collision with the moving object V1 at intersection R0 has been eliminated. The timing at which the release signal is transmitted to the alarm device 40 may include when the moving object V1 enters or passes through intersection R0, or when the moving object V1 or the light vehicle B stops before reaching intersection R0.

[0047] By repeatedly executing the above process, the possibility of a collision between the light vehicle B and the moving objects V1 and V2 at intersection R0 is continuously determined, and drive signals / release signals are continuously transmitted. Therefore, according to this embodiment, when there is a possibility of a collision between the light vehicle B equipped with the warning device 40 and the moving objects V1 and V2 at intersection R0, a predetermined warning (vibration in this embodiment) can be given to the warning device 40 of the light vehicle B to alert the driver of the light vehicle B. This makes it possible to minimize the occurrence of head-on collision accidents involving the light vehicle B at intersection R0.

[0048] In particular, this embodiment can demonstrate a remarkable effect at intersections with poor visibility, as schematically shown in Figure 2, and can reduce the occurrence or risk of head-on collisions between bicycles and automobiles at such intersections.

[0049] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the end (grip portion) of the handle BH of the light vehicle B is vibrated in accordance with the direction of approach of the moving object, the driver of the light vehicle B can be informed of the direction of approach of the moving object, thereby providing the driver with effective information for making decisions to avoid a collision.

[0050] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be modified in various ways.

[0051] For example, in the above embodiment, the case in which light vehicle B is traveling on the first road R1 toward intersection R0 was used as an example, but it is not limited to this, and the same can be applied to a light vehicle traveling on the second road R2 toward intersection R0. In this case, the presence of the light vehicle is detected by the second detector 12 or the third detector 13 of the detection unit 10, and based on the determination result of whether or not there is a possibility of collision with a moving object moving on the first road R1 toward intersection R0, a warning such as vibration is presented to the light vehicle.

[0052] Furthermore, while the above embodiment described an example of protecting a light vehicle B equipped with the warning device 40 from a head-on collision, the protection target is not limited to light vehicle B, and can also be applied to, for example, motorcycles and passenger cars. In addition, if the warning device 40 is installed on a pedestrian, it can provide the pedestrian with information such as the approach of a vehicle.

[0053] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, vibration from a tactile device was used as an example of a warning medium for the driver of light vehicle B, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other warning methods such as voice warnings from earphones / headphones, buzzer sounds, and flashing lights can also be applied. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0054] 1…Traffic warning system 10...Detection unit 20…Control Unit 22... Signal Processing Unit 23…Judgment section 24... Signal generation unit 30…Transmitter 40…Alarm device 100...Traffic monitoring device B... Light vehicles V1,V2…moving object

Claims

1. A traffic monitoring device installed at the intersection has a detection unit that uses radar or a camera to detect a light vehicle traveling on a first road and a moving object moving toward the intersection with the first road on a second road that intersects with the first road, The aforementioned light vehicle is equipped with an alarm device, The traffic monitoring device is, A control unit that determines whether there is a possibility of the light vehicle colliding with the moving object at the intersection based on the output of the detection unit, and generates a drive signal to activate the warning device when it is determined that there is a possibility of the light vehicle colliding with the moving object, The system further includes a transmitter that transmits the drive signal to the alarm device, The control unit generates a first control command as the drive signal if a moving object that may collide with the light vehicle approaches from the right side of the light vehicle, and generates a second control command if it approaches from the left side of the light vehicle. The alarm device comprises a receiver that receives the drive signal and a vibration device that vibrates based on the drive signal. The vibration device includes a first vibration device located on the right grip of the handlebars that vibrates when it receives the first control command, and a second vibration device located on the left grip of the handlebars that vibrates when it receives the second control command. Traffic warning system.

2. A traffic warning system according to claim 1, The control unit determines, based on the position and speed of the light vehicle and the moving object, whether or not there is a possibility of the light vehicle colliding with the moving object. Traffic warning system.

3. A traffic warning system according to claim 1 or 2, After generating the drive signal, the control unit, when it determines that there is no possibility of the light vehicle colliding with the moving object, generates a release signal to cancel the operation of the warning device. The transmitter transmits the release signal to the alarm device. Traffic warning system.

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